J. Preidis RN - The Number One Finest Set of All Time

About this set: Having spent a couple years in the United Kingdom, I've come to love the English coinage. The half sovereign was my starting point with PCGS and my Registry Sets. Elizabeth II was a small set that is growing as I seem to get the coins submitted. Well, this set is now complete as of 10 December 2004!!! Next challenge is to upgrade the coins! It's now 31 January of 2006 and my 2005's have not yet returned from PCGS, nor has the year been added as a part of this set yet. In 2005 I was able to upgrade my 2000 for a MS69, and 2001 for a MS68. I would like to add the other Top Pops to make this a "perfect" set, so if anyone has one they would care to trade or sell, please let me know! I'm yet to find any dealer that handles the English PCGS coinage on a regular basis. I know where one of the top pops is, but Tony's not ready to let it go anytime soon. (30 Jul 2006 - I'm sorry to see Tony go. He was my only competition. Yes, I acquired his 1982 top pop) As for the others, they're hiding! Help me find them and I'll add your name in the comments section for your part in building my set, and give it a mention here as this is the only record of the hunt for perfection. Thanks for reading my note, now enjoy what I've built. By the way, my 2006 came in at MS68. ;) PCGS tells me they won't be adding this coin until probably early 2007. (Feb 2007) The time since my last update has been good to me in many respects, but nothing has changed with this set other than the ability to add my 2006. 2007's are available, but I haven't acquired mine yet, but will do so sometime this year. Still looking to upgrade 2001 and 2002! Let me know if you can help. Until next time... enjoy! 15 Aug 2007 - Anticipation! How many of you know what that's like? You locate one of the coveted additions to your collection and are now waiting for it to arrive. Well, that's where I'm at right now. I've upgraded my 2002 from MS65 to the 5th coin minted for 2002 in MS69. A dual novelty in my opinion. Photos will be added once coin arrives and I get them loaded. July 2008: Merely a reflection as this, my first set captures the 2008 award. Wish there were more competing. With the cost of gold hovering in the $950-$1000 range, I've seen many of the prized 2002 MS69 half sovereigns come up in auctions. I truely believe in David Hall's comment about not selling at this time. Now's the time to be taking advantage, if possible, of other collectors' letting go based on market conditions and the tempting rising cost of precious metals. My goal for 2008 is to acquire the 2007 and 2008 half sovereigns and have them submitted prior to the 2009 cut-off. As with hind sight, wish I'd picked up 2007 before the rise in gold hit. End of year update 2008: As this year draws to a close, I've purchased my 2007 and 2008 half sovereigns raw, so look forward to submitting them about March timeframe. Apr 2009: Update: Submissions are in process with PCGS as I write this. My 2008 came in as a proof rather than MS, so, will have a slight modification in my hunt for the MS 2008 and 2009 issues. As for the proof, that's just one less I need for my proof set. It's good to see other sets now competing and growing within this category. Nov 2010: Time has a way of moving in very large steps when you're not watching. Completion of this set and keeping it current have been my focus. I have all coins through 2010, and am awaiting the 2011 release now. New scans were made of all coins. The fog or mist over the surface seems to have increased or become more prominent. Details are still sharp and the scan seems to have enhanced the fogging effect. The fog or mist is only on the surface of the coins and wipes off without effort. I cracked open a couple of other coins with the same film and found it came off with the slightest touch. Have not had anyone tell me how or why this happens on certain coins when all are stored the same way. Best theory is it occurs during shipment and cold temperatures as coins submitted go out without the fog but return with it. That would explain the random selection on coins. Since I've been keeping my shipments to warmer months, I've not had any further issues arise. Other than keeping this current, my focus has turned to seeking out and working on some of the earlier British coinage. I may however attempt to upgrade a couple of these in time. May 2012: Update - Grades just in on my 2011 and 2012. Both MS67. Will update back to 100% as the certificates become valid in the database.